Bethesda news, restaurants, nightlife, events and openings, real estate, crime reports and more - the way only a lifelong Bethesda resident like Robert Dyer can bring it to you. Everything you want and need to know about Bethesda, plus special investigative reports you won't find anywhere else. The must-read blog for breaking Bethesda news, when you want to be the first to know.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

War on pedestrians continues in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

The Maryland State Highway Administration is doing a lot of work on East-West Highway right now, and a comedy of errors has led to one intersection becoming more - not less - dangerous for pedestrians.

Apparently, the SHA was attempting to improve access via the curb cuts and wheelchair ramps at East-West and Chelton Road by Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. In the process, they ended up with the signage post now blocking the ramps. That, of course, rendered the ramps useless for wheelchair access. Then, work stopped altogether, and cement meant to be used for the new sidewalk instead was left to dry. This has been going on for about 4 weeks.

A nearby resident who walks her 2 and 5-year-old children to school along East-West says the SHA told her they are waiting for permission to relocate the sign posts. Meanwhile, they closed the sidewalk on the other side of East-West near Montgomery Avenue, leaving nowhere for pedestrians to go. If you've been following my reports on other sidewalk closures downtown, you won't be surprised to hear the result - pedestrians entering the roadway.

You would think that the posts would have been considered by engineers before starting the project. And that sidewalk closures would be timed better as a safety consideration for pedestrians.

With this project scheduled to last through the fall, let's hope this is not the way things will go for the duration. If not, sidewalk closures will be as frustrating as the midday and overnight lane closures. The area affected by the project is between Wisconsin and Connecticut Avenues.

One positive thing I can say is that, when they finish these resurfacing jobs, the new pavement is far superior to whatever material the state was using years ago. The part of East-West they already completed east of Connecticut is one of the smoothest roads I've ever driven on, and the SHA should be commended for that.

Thank you for continually calling attention to pedestrian issues. I have loved ones who aren't what they used to be but they still need to cross the street now and then. Issues like this are, unfortunately, a big deal for them.

Wow to prove I'm not a robot I had to identify which photos contained pasta. Way better than deciphering sloppy handwriting!

The community is still waiting for SHA to respond on the Bradley Blvd. crosswalk situation.

I tried using one of them recently, and you literally can't see around the parked cars before stepping out into the crosswalk. There is going to be a pedestrian collision there if they don't move the parking back and activate the warning lights.

The corner where Robert took pictures was supposedly the spot where you need to cross to keep going east on East West Hwy. But there is no where to cross to get to the south side of the street until that useless crosswalk of death at the bottom of the hill.

The other alternative would be to walk all the way back to Pearl to cross at the intersection with the PNC and then walk next to that condo building and squeeze by the construction.

No one uses these options so they cross the street in locations cars aren't expecting them or start crossing the street at the construction and have to walk down one of the lanes until they get past the construction.

They also screwed up the trail's crossing at Connecticut for a spell. Luckily that lasted only about a week but it was another poorly implemented project as far as providing clear communication and alternatives for pedestrians.

Are they the ones putting up all the speed traps on Connecticut? Between here and Randolph there has been a bunch added. Two between East West Hwy and the beltway heading north. None heading south yet.

Thanks so much for posting about this. It's a tremendously frustrating and dangerous situation. The folks at the SHA have been kind enough over the phone when I called them about it, but I've seen no signs of life on that corner for weeks.

"Anonymous said..The corner where Robert took pictures was supposedly the spot where you need to cross to keep going east on East West Hwy. But there is no where to cross to get to the south side of the street until that useless crosswalk of death at the bottom of the hill.

The other alternative would be to walk all the way back to Pearl to cross at the intersection with the PNC and then walk next to that condo building and squeeze by the construction.

No one uses these options so they cross the street in locations cars aren't expecting them or start crossing the street at the construction and have to walk down one of the lanes until they get past the construction.

7:54 AM"

Yea, I was driving west on East West Highway a few days ago after dark and was amazed to see a pedestrian walking in the street toward oncoming traffic (apparently to get around the closed section of the sidewalk). It's only a matter of time before a collision happens.